Convening for Action in British Columbia

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Kim Stephens

    DOWNLOAD A COPY: “Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Create safe spaces for storytelling in the changing world of asset management” – released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in March 2026


    “Maybe saying you do not have all the answers and asking for help, or saying that you have made mistakes, is a greater sign of strength than suggesting you are infallible. You build the relationships and the relationships then give you the strength and confidence to open up about the challenges. We got to where we needed to go (in holding the forum). We are not celebrating our mistakes. But we are celebrating the successes that come out of understanding that, sharing where you feel there are shortcomings, is a sign of strength as a local government leader,” stated Mike Matejka.

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    CHRONICLE OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATION: “There are many champions in local government; and it is important that we recognize and celebrate what they are doing. This is all part of creating our future,” stated Lois Jackson, Chair of the Metro Vancouver Regional Board, during the golden period (2006-2011) covered by Part D of the Chronicle


    How would the Metro Vancouver region absorb another one million people and remain livable? That was the defining question in the 2000s. The Chronicle of Green Infrastructure Innovation brings to life an exciting period in local government “convening for action” history. There was critical mass to implement changes in development practices. “We must all be leaders who selflessly have a vision, and we must then act to make the vision a reality. The Board approved realigning the goals, strategies and actions in the updated Liquid Waste Management Plan with policies and positions in Living Water Smart,” stated Lois Jackson.

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    DOWNLOAD A COPY OF: “Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Learn by doing, and adapt to create livable communities – convening for action in Metro Vancouver” – released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in February 2026


    “Collaboration is essential. We also have to bring people together. If we find a common purpose that we are pursuing together, there really is nothing that we cannot accomplish,” stated former BC Premier Campbell in 2010. “Look long term. Think about what is best for the future. Not for you, but for those who will follow you. Think about how we can create a better environment that others can live in and benefit from. We get to make our own choices. We get to make our own future. We just have to have the vision to imagine, and the tenacity to pursue it.”

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    WHEN PROVINCIAL BOLTS OUT OF THE BLUE IMPACT LOCAL AUTONOMY: “When the Province abolished regional planning, out of the ashes came Metro Vancouver’s Livable Region Strategic Plan. And it has been updated three times,” stated Ken Cameron, regional planning trailblazer and thought leader in British Columbia


    “Decision makers need to have a picture of what regional government and regional planning have been able to achieve. We should expect that changes would be made with an understanding of what the current system would be capable of achieving. Since the creation of the Livable Region Strategic Plan, the focus and content of regional planning have evolved in response to change. This is a beneficial process that has brought new ideas and new participants. It has strengthened the impact and permanence of the regional planning process,” stated Ken Cameron.

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    LIVABLE REGION STRATEGIC PLAN FOR METRO VANCOUVER: “Ken Cameron believes that knowing the historical context would help today’s decision makers understand what brought the region to the current tipping point,” stated Kim Stephens, Executive Director, Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC


    “Ken Cameron is giving back. He is putting the story behind the story of regional planning on the record. He is passing on knowledge through op-eds, conference presentations, and university lectures. He explains that in 1996 Municipal Affairs Minister Darlene Marzari deemed that the Livable Region Strategic Plan for Metro Vancouver had been prepared and adopted under the provisions of the Province’s growth strategies legislation. Unlike Ontario and other provinces, he adds, BC does not have an approval role with respect to local government plans,” stated Kim Stephens.

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    DOWNLOAD A COPY OF: “Living Water Smart in British Columbia: When provincial bolts out of the blue impact local autonomy,” – released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in February 2026


    “In the three decades since the creation of the Livable Region Strategic Plan, the focus and content of regional planning have evolved in response to change. This is a beneficial process that has brought new ideas and new participants. It has strengthened the impact and permanence of the regional planning process. Five principles have been key to this success, but they too can be expected to evolve over time. To be done well, development decisions have to reflect infrastructure planning, neighbourhood and community participation and support,” stated Ken Cameron.

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    DOWNLOAD A COPY OF: “Living Water Smart in British Columbia: When we are part of a network, everyone goes further” – released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in February 2026


    The 2026 Ambassadors of the Partnership Forum was an inter-regional gathering, with representation from five regions in southern British Columbia. “It brought together alumni and current local government staff. From our discussions at the Forum and the written responses we received for the questionnaire survey, it is evident that there continues to be a desire for in-depth peer collaboration and mentorship. Round table discussions clearly demonstrated a desire for collaboration in finding solutions to today’s challenges. You could feel the energy in the room,” stated Rémi Dubé.

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    HISTORICAL CONTEXT FOR CONVENING FOR ACTION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: “Cities are all about choices – choices that become reality very quickly, with lasting consequences. Over the 21st century – the urban century – much will depend upon getting the choices right,” wrote Mike Harcourt, former Premier of British Columbia, in an op-ed for the Vancouver Sun in 2003


    When Mike Harcourt was Premier, a defining moment was the launch of the transformational Georgia Basin Initiative in 1994. At a recent forum hosted by the Partnership for Water Sustainability, Mike Harcourt said: “In my experience, ideas and initiatives ebb and flow. You just have to take the long view and remain committed to passing on the knowledge that comes from experience. I would like to put a call to action on the record to do with land use planning and ecological and economic sustainability. We need to integrate all the disparate changes now taking place.”

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    DOWNLOAD A COPY OF: “Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Storytelling to share deep knowledge – preview of stories in the pipeline “– released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in January 2026


    “The Partnership for Water Sustainability is hosting a forum in January 2026 that will provide a safe space for current frontline staff to tap into insights from alumni who are retired from leadership positions. The forum theme is that we can support each other to make everyone’s work easier by creating a knowledge network. It matters how we share information to ensure concepts are conveyed to, and understood by, the people who need to know. Solutions to the issues of our time lie in WHAT stories we tell and HOW we tell those stories,” stated Remi Dube.

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    CONVENING FOR ACTION ON VANCOUVER ISLAND: “We have it in our hands to create our future, because what we do on the ground sets the pattern of development for generations,” stated Eric Bonham in his keynote address at the CAVI launch event in 2006


    “Change in standard practices does not happen overnight. It takes time. Therefore, it is important to manage expectations when embarking on this journey towards water sustainability. Getting there is Mission Possible and is a top-down and bottom-up strategy. First comes the vision. Then community involvement. Support from municipal decision makers follows next. Finally, communities must apply ‘Design with Nature’ as a consistent future approach to development. Everyone needs to agree on expectations and how all the players will work together,” stated Eric Bonham.

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